THE long-running community campaign to find a customer-friendly site in which to re-locate a Royal Mail post box in Broughton has entered a decisive phase with the issue being escalated to the Postal Review Panel.
The issue arose in July of last year when the town’s Post Office closed following the retirement of the postmaster – which created an issue as the post box on the old premises was sealed.
After meeting with residents and making site visits to the locations, the town’s MP Michelle Scrogham agreed with the townsfolk that Broughton Square would be the best place for the post box.
Royal Mail declared Station Road next to the auction mart as its preferred location which local residents have been clear is not suitable. Despite abundant correspondence with Mrs Scrogham – it has refused to modify its position.
Now the MP has formally escalated the issue to the Postal Review Panel – the highest level of escalation.
The MP states: “I am writing to formally escalate a complaint regarding Royal Mail’s decision to locate a replacement post box on Station Road in Broughton”
“Despite sustained representations from residents and from me as the local Member of Parliament, Royal Mail has maintained its position that Station Road is the preferred location, and has declined to reconsider siting the post box in Broughton Square, adjacent to the new Post Office.”
“The basis of this escalation is a fundamental disagreement with Royal Mail’s assessment of accessibility and safety. Residents, particularly older people and those with mobility impairments, have consistently raised concerns that Station Road is frequently obstructed by parked vehicles during auction mart days. These events are a regular and foreseeable feature of life in Broughton, not just occasional, and should therefore be treated as part of the normal operating environment when assessing accessibility. At these times, the road and pavements become effectively inaccessible for many residents.
“By contrast, Broughton Square is a wider, more open space that routinely accommodates buses, delivery vehicles, and pedestrian movement. It is widely regarded locally as the most accessible and inclusive location, particularly given its proximity to the new Post Office.
“While Royal Mail has stated that it is not required to carry out a public consultation on the siting of a post box, I am concerned that the decision-making process may not have given sufficient weight to equality and accessibility considerations.
“Royal Mail has also suggested that residents may hand mail directly to postmen and women as an alternative. While this may assist some individuals on occasion, it cannot reasonably be regarded as an adequate or consistent substitute for a permanently accessible post box serving the whole community.
The MP has pledged to report back to residents when she has received a response.
